Opinion & Editorial

The Nugget’s Matt Aiken took a swing at conquering a nearby golf course along with family and friends.

The Nugget’s Matt Aiken took a swing at conquering a nearby golf course along with family and friends.

OPINIONS: Who needs to golf all 18 holes when you’re hungry for burritos?

Matt Aiken
Thursday, May 21, 2026
I don’t really play golf. But a couple weeks ago, I played golf.We’re talking real golf. On a real golf course. No windmills. No astroturf. And when you finish the 18th hole, your ball doesn’t disappear into a mysterious tunnel.It was Spring Break and a spur of the moment thing.
Local folks are having their opinions heard at City Hall, and that’s a good thing.

Local folks are having their opinions heard at City Hall, and that’s a good thing.

OUR VIEW: Public comments don’t have to be pressure packed

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
They’ve been breaking the rules at City Hall lately.Or, at least, bending them a little.But we’re not here to complain. In fact, we’re here to encourage it. Because, in this case, that particular rule is the four minute limit on public comments during regular meetings.
Fantasy Sports expert Steve Alexander catches up with NBA legend Dominique Wilkins as he dines at Dahlonega’s 7Pie Pizzeria.

Fantasy Sports expert Steve Alexander catches up with NBA legend Dominique Wilkins as he dines at Dahlonega’s 7Pie Pizzeria.

OPINIONS: This all-star encounter was decades in the making

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
By Steve Alexander  ——————  When my buddy, Steve Klebe, texted me that NBA Hall of Famer, Dominique Wilkins, was at 7Pie on Sunday, I quickly gathered my thoughts and stuff, thinking that this was the moment I had been waiting for for 42 years.
The scammers have hit Lumpkin County. Local law enforcement is still working to recover about $300,000 in taxpayers' money.

The scammers have hit Lumpkin County. Local law enforcement is still working to recover about $300,000 in taxpayers' money.

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OUR VIEW: The County scam was a sign of the swindling times

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
The headline read “$400,000 scam suspect still sought” -- those were the big top-of-the-page words running in last week’s edition of The Nugget, until, that is, it wasn't.  With about three hours to go before press time, we got word that the suspect wasn't sought…the suspect was in custody.
Scott Degraff and the Lumpkin County Girls Wrestling team celebrate a big win at last year’s State Championships.

Scott Degraff and the Lumpkin County Girls Wrestling team celebrate a big win at last year’s State Championships.

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OPINIONS: DeGraff named GHSA Coach of the Year for girls wrestling

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Sic Parvis Magna is one of my favorite quotes, made famous by explorer Sir Francis Drake and later popularized by the video game Uncharted, the Latin phrase translates to “Greatness from small beginnings.
Should a new state law that will limit cell phones for students at school in elementary and middle, also be extended to the high school level?

Should a new state law that will limit cell phones for students at school in elementary and middle, also be extended to the high school level?

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OUR VIEW — School smart phone bans are a smart choice

News Staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Imagine for a moment that you’re a student at Lumpkin County High School in 1996. The Olympic torch passed through town a few months ago, the new high school building on Indian Drive is still a few years away, and you just got your very own new Dell personal home computer. It’s big.  It’s powerful.
“Mattie” Mendoza will be familiar to many Nugget readers as a standout athlete on the LCHS women’s wresting team. This fall, she will also be a newspaper sports intern.

“Mattie” Mendoza will be familiar to many Nugget readers as a standout athlete on the LCHS women’s wresting team. This fall, she will also be a newspaper sports intern.

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OPINIONS: Looking forward to Nugget sports internship

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
By Mathiel Mendoza / Sports Intern  --------  Hello, I’m Mathiel, better know as "Mattie," and I’m a junior at Lumpkin County High school; I’m on the women’s wrestling team and I also played softball for two consecutive years.
The Holly Theater plays a major role in making downtown Dahlonega a charming and vibrant place. And that wouldn’t happen without many dedicated local folks.

The Holly Theater plays a major role in making downtown Dahlonega a charming and vibrant place. And that wouldn’t happen without many dedicated local folks.

OUR VIEW: Hard work goes into making The Holly a local landmark

News Staff
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted.  Probably because it seems like it’s always been here, and always will be.  That would be The Holly Theater.  And it’s as much a part of downtown Dahlonega as the Gold Museum or Hall Block or Price Memorial.
Sportswriter Eligha Roper reflected on how the experience of being a reporter has helped him reevaluate his approach to interacting with people.

Sportswriter Eligha Roper reflected on how the experience of being a reporter has helped him reevaluate his approach to interacting with people.

OPINION: Positivity has proven to be life changing

Eligha Roper
Saturday, August 9, 2025
My time working for The Nugget has been great.  Over the last few years, I have been able to explore my passion for sports journalism and photography.  After working here, I really couldn’t see myself enjoying working anywhere else.
The folks from New UMC Dahlonega have been making frequent appearances in The Nugget's Sunday Snapshot lately.

The folks from New UMC Dahlonega have been making frequent appearances in The Nugget's Sunday Snapshot lately.

The Sunday Snapshot scandal

Matt Aiken
Thursday, October 17, 2024
I have a confession to make. Lately, I’ve been using Page 10A of this newspaper for free promotional purposes. I know, I know. I get plenty of space in The Nugget each week. From front page stories to this column to my mug shot in the staff line-up, I’m all over the place. But that’s not enough.